Life. Love. Time.

The Flashback (2)

  ⚠️TW⚠️ Talk of abuse ⚠️

     Its a race. Up one flight and down another. The halls never end. Were running up the last staircase. My long Ivory black pigtails flying behind me. I don't look back. I know he's behind me. I catch a glimpse of his dark brown curls as he tries to beat me to the top. It was only two flights but, in that moment, it felt like we were climbing a mountain. I reach the platform between the two staircases I'm trying to catch my breath, only one set left unclimbed. I look up and Ash crashes into me bringing both of us to the ground. We both are sent into a fit of laughter. He stands up and reaches out his hand to help me. We had just become best friends last year. It was fourth grade orientation and we had just snuck away from our parents. Ash made up a bet that I couldn't climb every set of stairs in the school before him, so I took his bet and we climbed every staircase in the school. We only had one left. I took his hand and pulled myself to my feet. Not even two seconds later I dashed towards to last staircase and pushed open the door at the top. I stop dead in my tracks and Ash catches up. We both stand in the open doorway staring at what we just found. The bell tower. I step through the doorway and slowly start to explore the empty space.

"c'mon Harper lets go."

Ash calls out. The worry in his voice shows in his face. He hasn't left the doorway.

"Harper come on."

I walk back to the doorway; Ash grabs my hand and leads me down the flight of stairs. We reach the hall where all the parents are standing with their kids meeting with all the teachers in the school. We push through the huge crowd of parents, kids and teachers. After pushing our way through the sea of people we finally reach our moms. We start to head over to them and suddenly I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn my head to see Ashs dad crouched down behind us with a huge smile plastered on his face. Ashs face lights up with excitement. Suddenly were both in the air wrapped in his arms in a huge hug. Since last year Ashs dad has become like my own. He was the one who took me away from my father last year when he started hitting mom. I manage to wrap my arms around his neck and give him a big hug.

"Hey kiddos!"

"Hey dad! How long have you been here?"

Ash's dad went on a business trip over the summer in some other part of the country.

"I just got back a few hours ago. How have you been Harpie?"

"I've been good. I turn nine in 4 days!"

"Is that so?"

He smiles. He picks me up and then he picks up Ash and throws both of us over each of his shoulders which sends us into another fit of laughter. He walks over to our moms and sets us down right between them.

"Guess who I found!"

Ash tugs at his moms skirt. She turns her head and greets her husband as if he's never left. I look up at mom and she has as sad smile on her face.

"Hey Peter."

He walks over to my mom and gives her a big hug.

"Hey Viv, how have you been holding up."

She puts her head down.

"Better."

She says she's better, but I dont think she's telling the truth. I think daddy hurt her so bad that she doesn't know what better is anymore. I run. I cant stop. I run to the tree house. Tears run down my cheeks. Daddy hurt mom and what if he comes back and hurts me.

"Harper!"

She calls for me.

"Harper!"

Mr. Owens calls for me.

"Harper!"

Ash calls for me. He's the only one that runs after me.

"Harper!"

He calls after me.

"Harper!"

He keeps yelling my name. I keep running.

"Harper!"

I jump as I hear my name being called by the librarian. I mustve fallen asleep during study hall.

"What time is it?"

I look at my phone.

3:15.

SHIT.

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                                                       A/N:

so most of this chapter is flash back. this will happen a lot in the story so make sure to pay attention to the font.

when its like this - Its most likely flash back. I'm gonna try to make it pretty obvious. anyway thanks for reading make sure to check every week to see when I upload a new chapter